A note about some changes

I just added the inspirations for the next several months as well as started a page called Extra Inspirations which I hope you all like.  If you have any questions just let me know.  The submissions you leave for the extra themes will be like your own feature.  I will post those when I receive them throughout the month.  I also have made deadlines on every 5th and 20th of each month to lessen any confusion.  The first deadline for the new year is on the 20th so we all have time to settle back into the new year.  I am making it a goal for the new year (I suppose that would be a "New Year's Resolution") to do all of these monthly submissions.  We will see...  I look forward to seeing what the new year brings and to your creations! 
Happy new year!
Anika

Round 11 Submissions

I don't know if it was the holiday season, my error in deadline information, or if this was just a big stumper but we lost a couple of regulars this round.  However, it was a great turn-out for diversity!   I think this might be the most personal I have seen the results.  In each case, I had to read the reasoning behind each creation to understand how it was inspired by the video and what made each person create what they did; I love that.  I also love the inspiration for this round.  Thanks again to Ego for supplying the first video inspirationVisit Ego's page to see other submissions and also find links to her other projects, they don't disappoint.  Now, on to round 11!  As usual you can find out more about a particular entry or artist by visiting their artist page.  Thanks for visiting the ACoLab.  If you would like to participate please do.  The next round of inspirations and deadlines will be up by the first of the year.  Hope to see you then!

"Life Is One Big Intertwining Movie"
photos,video, and story


"ACoLab #11"
A song
by Doug
(To play the song just click the "Play"triangle on left that the arrows are pointing to)
Acolab 11 121910.m...

"Hallway"
A photo

"Balloons Make Her Crazy"
a photo flip book and a video version of the flip book

"Come Get the Treat"
a video
by Ego

If you would like to subscribe to our mailing list to know up updates you can use the "Submit Here" button on the top left side bar.  As I wrote before, new inspirations will be up on by the first of January.  Hope to see you in 2001.  Happy New Year, may it be inspiring and creative!

Oops, my mistake!

When wondering if the video inspiration was too difficult (have not received too many entries this round) a friend told me that it could be because I had put the deadline for 2 weeks earlier, the same week as the post. Oops.  Well, because of that and because I have not had time to even work on mine (I know, but that's one of the perks as the administrator!) the deadline is extended through the 19th of December.  Sorry about the date mix-up.

Also, your creation does not need to be a video.  Remember, whatever the inspiration propels your mind to think then that's great-if it thinks of a memory you can write a story, you can make a dress, take a photo...whatever the inspiration means to you is the important part.

This will be the last round of 2010 by the way.  I will be posting new challenges up before the new year and then stick to the dates (the right ones), it's a resolution of mine.  Have a happy happy holiday season and hopefully see you back here in a few days!
xo
Anika

Dreamlands

Here (finally) are round 10 submissions!  The theme was Dreamland and once again we can see how diverse everyone's imaginations are.  Thanks to everyone who submitted and a special welcome to our newest addition, Sara!  I encourage you to take a look at Sara's artist page and links and learn a bit more about the newest talent to join the ACoLab.  As always, you can learn more about a particular entry or artist by clicking on that artist's name on the left sidebar.  The ACoLab is always open to join.  The more the merrier!  Thanks for visiting, enjoy! 

"Faces in the Sky"
Photograph
by Ashley

"Serene Dream (land)"
3 photographs and story
by Joanna
Please see Joanna's artist page for the complete entry.

"Dreams"
A Wordle
by Andrea
(This was the largest I could replicate this image.  Click on the image to link to the full size image.)
Wordle: Andrea's Dreams

"His Dreams"
A Painting
by Vidya

Untitled
Photos and Story
by Danijela
Please see Danijela's artist page for complete entry.
I dream with this captured moment on the photo.
Different age, different naional background, different languages, different life conditions. Do you see the difference?
It doesn't really exist in their world. It's children's world and  my dreamland.



"Postcards from Dreamland"
5 Photographs
by Mary Jane
Please see Mary Jane's artist page for complete entry

"Guild Awards Dinner"
Photograph
by Sara

"Floating Dream Lands"
Photograph
by Anika
See Anika's artist page for more information about this image.

And there you have it!  Thanks again to all of you who submitted for this round.  You really are an inspiration and you make the ACoLab such a fun and interesting place.  Hope to see you back here for the next round, the video inspiration is up and ready to inspire.  Until then, happy creating!

Artist Page - Sara

Sara's blog is an amazing place to see a wide variety of destinations, flowers, and other pretty photographs.  Here is what Sara had to say upon joining the Lab:  I normally photograph flowers at the peak of perfection and scenery that I hope reflects how I feel in my blog. I look to this site as a source of inspiration in expanding my artistic view.  Have a look at Sara's work for the ACoLab below and be sure to check out her blog, Sara's Fave Photos!

Listings are in order of the most recent submission to the oldest.

Theme ten inspiration:  Dreamland
"Guild Awards Dinner" 
A friend showed me a new photo technique that looks so dreamlike to me.

Next inspiration - Number 11

As promised, the inspiration for the eleventh round is a video.  I have decided to give a bit more time for this one because, well, to be honest, I think it's kind of challenging.  So let me just say for everyone that may be new to the Lab and has been thinking about joining in or for those of you who think it's too hard- don't let the challenge get in the way of creating something for this inspiration.  It's open to anything your imagination can come up with- a story, an image, a song, another video, an outfit...whatever this makes you think of!  As long as your creation makes sense to you then it's a winner of an idea, submit it!

I also want to say a big THANK YOU to Ego for coming up with this inspiration.  She makes fabulously inventive and entertaining short films and also makes equally as imaginative visual creations for her band The White Hills.  Take a moment to visit her You Tube page and you will be happy you did.  So, here we have the next inspiration...I love this and am clueless still as to what I am going to come up with!  The deadline will be December 19th.  I will post some future inspirations soon in case you breeze through this one.


Happy Creating and hope to see what your imagination comes up with!


Theme 9 Submissions

Hi everyone!
This round's theme is "Out of My Element".  This theme really showed how we all think completely different things based of the same inspiration.  I can honestly say that none of these ideas came to mind when I thought of the inspiration and when I was thinking of what to make and yet they all make sense.  So here you have the entries for theme number nine in order of submission, enjoy!

For further information about each entry or to find out more about an artist just click on their name to see their artist page.  You can also click on an artist's name located on the left sidebar.  You will be able to see all of their previous submissions there as well.

"Out of My Element"
Photos and story (See artist page for complete entry)

"Out of My Element"
Photograph (See artist page for complete entry)

"Copernicium"
Song
(Please see artist page for more information)
by Doug
Copernicium 101710...

"Out of My Element?"
Two Videos & Story
(Please see artist page for the complete entry)


 "Day in the Life"
Photo Collage & Story (For complete entry visit her artist's page)
by Stephanie

Creating Out of My Element
Glass etching (See artist page for complete entry)

And there you have it, round nine!  Thanks to all who submitted.  I thought this was a great round full of diversity and personality...I got to know you all just a little bit better!   I hope to see you back for the tenth round when the theme will be "Dreamland".  The deadline is November 21st.  If you have thought about joining in the fun let this tenth round be it!  Look forward to seeing what your imaginations come up with!
Happy Creating,
Anika

Just waiting for google...

I have exceeded my photo limit on Google and am just waiting for the upgrade to take so that I can publish the latest round of ACoLab.  It was a very diverse round and I am excited to show you the collection!  Be in touch soon!

Theme number 8 - Submissions

Well, looks like this round stumped some of the best of 'em!  I received a few messages that it was just too difficult.  However, those that did submit, a special thank you and congrats!  Joanna was even able to do two submissions!!  I thought this was very challenging too, I struggled until the last possible moment.  I think that when I was thinking of the idea for this theme I thought "A favorite song...hmm, that could be inspirational."   That thought soon turned into "what was I thinking?!"  I think that the idea of picking one song out our many favorites ended up being a bit overwhelming.  I had to tell myself to pick song rather than thinking I had to pick the song.  Here however are some very creative interpretations of the theme!  I hope to see you back in the Lab for round 9.  And if you have never participated before please think about doing so...more the merrier!   Until then, happy creating!

Round 8 inspiration - "Your favorite song"  For more information about each entry just visit that artist's page.  Links to artist pages can be found on the left sidebar as well as by clicking the artist's name in this post (the hyperlink).  For this special theme I also included a video or audio of the song each artist picked (also located on the artist page).

"Why start a battle when you don't have to?"
Story and 8 Photographs
by Joanna

Empire State of Mind
Photograph and Story

My Favorite Song
Song
by Doug
My Favorite Song 1...


Rocky Raccoon
Photos and Story
by Joanna


No need to bring in the police, or send me to jail
Will you let me out on bail?
I will keep my thoughts clean, read on and that will be seen!
I was just being a goon!
unless you want to bring in a sheriff at a local saloon 
in the form of the Beatles song Rocky Racoon!
That would be just dandy!

  
Tropicalia in Tennessee
Digital Collage
by Anika

Birthday Song
Photograph
by Vidya

There you have them, round 8. Thanks to those of you who were able to participate this round!  I hope to see you all for round 9!  The next inspiration, Out of My Element, is due on October 26th.

Theme number 7 submissions

Look at this!  Submissions for round seven!!
Great variety this round.  This is a very interesting collection - The interpretations for the theme of "Full Circle" include paintings, photos, and cooking.  The ideas behind the "Full Circle" were interpreted so differently too...just goes to show how we all can see the same inspiration in such different ways.  Thanks to all the participants as you make this site a great spot to be inspired to create even more!  And a very special welcome to our newest artist, Danijela!  To learn more about a particular piece or artist click on that artist's page (links on the left sidebar).  To see any of the images larger just click on the image.  Thanks for visiting the Lab and without further ado, enjoy.

Inspiration: Full Circle

 "Around the World" 
Photo and digital creation 
by Ashley

"Family Generations"
2 Photos and Poem 
by Joanna
Yesterday is prehistory
which follows history
and comes before a tomorrow's mystery
sounds very blistery
and I suppose it is, as each one is a story in itself!
A cake has some similarity
it doesn't always give satiety
you can be the first, last, or somewhere in the middle
and even when you are the icing on the top, being a slice can be a fiddle
It can be a comfort and delight
a support to tell you everything will be alright
indeed a powerful might
and like generations before, gone in a flash!

"Full Circle"
Beat Heart Cookies
by Vidya

"Full Circle"
30 Photographs
by Anika

"Full Circle"
Photograph
by Danijela

 "Full Circle"
Painting & Poem
by Angela
Toes curl around;
Line up behind heels,
Looking up at the rainbow
That brought back my smile.

"Full Circle"
Photograph
by Stephanie
There you have it, round seven!  Thanks again to everybody for making it such a great round.  I hope to see you all again for round eight! 

Artist Page - Danijela

Danijela joined our group during round number seven.  Her photograph showed such beautiful color, composition, and the subject matter had me wanting to know more.  So I popped over to her blog hrandica.blogspot.com  

Although Danijela is from Slovenia, she currently resides in Germany.  So, when you visit her blog don't make the same mistake I did the first few times...there is a "translate" option at the top of your page.  However, what popped out to me those first few visits without understanding the text were, of course, the images.  I kept going back to see more!  Here photos tell their own story quite effectively.  Danijela is a wonderful story teller through imagery.  When I asked her to tell me a bit more about herself she revealed that she not only enjoys photography but loves to create children's art, and table decorations and centerpieces.  Intriguing, right??  I can't wait to see more.  If you are like me then please pop over to her blog and enjoy these submissions from past themes.


Submissions are listed from the most current to the oldest.


Theme twenty-four inspiration:  Drama
"Drama"
This photo was taken of my daughter having just woken up after a midday sleep. She is afraid of flies and that you can see on the photo. She was screaming and waving with her "Nana". It was a real drama.

Theme fourteen inspiration: Inside the Heart
 "Inside the Heart"
To view this entry the way Danijela intended please visit her blog.  
(Please excuse any errors below due to translation.)
This is the look inside my heart.  Children, colours, making something (and of course the man of the house) But I Could not put houses big hands inside of this heart.  


Theme ten inspiration: Dreamland
"Allowed to Dream"
(The following is copied from Danijela's blog.  The translation tool is shabby at times so please take a look at her original post here.)

In the time preceding them, which comes, most people think about life.  Often, we look back to the previous year or the year tuhtamo what was good, bad, what goals we have achieved and what we failed. We are doing big plans for the future. Some made large (for individual) decisions (I'm not exactly the kind of thing).

And this holiday time, That is comming, WE often start Tues think about good and bad, and life. We often look back, think about What WE did right, What WE accomplished and trap year (or years), What WAS bad and What are the Plans for next year. Some people often make Big Decisions COR plan (I'm not really Into this).

I'm thinking about the world around them. The snob in high places and the small people, about justice, which is rare, about how we are apathetic, the ice melts, about the differences and diversity that exists only in our minds.  Yeah, I know. I'm a little weird. I was already povedali.Večkrat.:)

I usually think about world around me. About snobs on high little Positions and people, about fairness That is RARE, notes about doing anything, That is about ice melting, about Differences That exist only and Our heads.  Yes, I know. I'm a little strange. I Heard That Already. Several times. :)

I dream.  This is the only thing that gave it no one can take it.  You can dream of a better life (I can not complain of his). I dream of equality, about not seeing color, shape, age, past or money man. I dream about life without envy and hypocrisy.

I dream. That is one thing That no one CAN Take Away from me. I can dream about Better Life (it's not, That I'm complaining about mine). Dream about Being Equal, that see no color, no shape, no age, no trap COR to See no money of one Person. I dream about Envy no, no about Hypocrisy.

I dream at this moment captured in a photograph.  Different ages, different ethnic history, different languages, different living conditions. But notice the difference?  In their world, without obstajajo.To the world of children, while the fairy-tale world where dreaming.

With this dream I captured the moment on the photo.  Different age, background national Different, Different languages, Different Life Conditions. Do you see the Difference?
It does not really exist and Their World. It's Children's World and my dreamland.


Theme eight inspiration: Your Favorite Song
"Empire State of Mind"
Photograph and Story
(You can link to Danijela's post for this submission here)

Don't know the song?  Here, take a listen.


Round seven inspiration: Full Circle
"Full Circle"
Photograph

Theme number six submissions

Here they are, round six images!  It was a great turn-out!  Thanks to everyone who contributed!  This round's inspiration seemed to make most people think of photography.  Vidya was the only artist to choose another medium.  It's so interesting to see how differently our imaginations interpret a single word.  I know you have all been excited to see this round too so without further ado here are the round six submissions.  Oh, and remember, if you would like to know more about a particular work or artist you can visit their artist page.  Thanks for visiting the ACoLab!  I hope to see you for round seven!!

Round Six Inspiration - Shadow

 "Shadows"
Photograph
by John

"The Shadow"
2 Photographs
by Joanna (Artist page coming soon!)

"Shadow"
drawing

"Night Falls"
Photograph

"Shadows of  9 11 2001"
Photograph

 "Shadowy Graveyard"
Photograph

"Reflection"
Photograph
by Angela (Artist page will be up soon)

"Lullaby"
Photograph

Well, there you have it- "Shadow" as interpreted by eight different imaginations.  Thanks again to everyone who participated!

As a side note, I will be posting round seven's inspiration and also have made a few changes that will help me out in posting and also help you all in promoting and future themes.  I'm afraid I got a bit unorganized this go-around, sorry for the delay.  I have edited the LoDown page a bit so feel free to check that out.  The new changes should help me get submissions up closer to the theme's deadline.  Thanks again to all participants for making this project so much fun!  You are all an inspiration!!

Theme Number Seven Inspiration & Future Challenges

I have spoken with a few of you regarding the length of time in between challenges and it's pretty much a split.  Many of you like having three weeks to do a challenge and some of you say that it's too much time and you wait to the last minute anyways (that could be me included sometimes!)  So, to do the best of both, I have posted the next several challenges on the left sidebar.  If you want to send them in ahead of time just put the theme number in the subject heading.  I will summarize each of the challenges here.  However, know that all of the themes are open to anything your imagination comes up with.  You can take a photo, video, draw, paint, record, write, cook, stitch, glue...ANYTHING that you think of when you think of the theme is fair game!  Remember the fun is that with the same inspiration we all come up with unique representations.  I love that!

Theme number seven - Full Circle
Due Date - September 20, 2010.
I don't want to say too much about this as I think it's more easy to interpret than some of the others.  This theme can be the inspiration, part of your piece...however you want to represent the idea of "Full Circle"

Theme number eight - Your Favorite Song
Due Date - October 10th, 2010.
Create a piece using your favorite song as an inspiration, narrative, title, etc...

Theme number nine - Out of My Element
Due Date - October 26, 2010. 
When I came up with this theme I thought about doing something that I have to step out of my comfort zone to do; however, if you interpret this otherwise let's see how!

Theme number ten - Dreamland
Due Date - November 10th, 2010. 
I look forward to seeing these.  

And look forward to Theme number eleven, our first video inspiration!

Well, there you have it!  What are your thoughts about the time frames?  I am willing to offer more time if you all think that would be better.  Just let me know what you think.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  You can use the same email you use to submit your work- the "submit here" button on the left sidebar.  You can send me work ahead of the deadline or anytime up to the deadline.  I will usually accept a late submission a day or two after the deadline if I am contacted.  However, it's my thought that with this new set-up I will be able to post the submissions up closer to the deadline date.  That is after-all the most exciting part!  Thanks for participating and visiting the ACoLab.  Feel free to use the button in your posts and spread the word.  The more the merrier!

Happy creating,
Anika

Artist Page - Joanna

Joanna joins us all the way from the UK!  From what I have witnessed, Joanna has a great eye and a knack for being in the right place at the right time.  Her photos seem to present themselves to her and she is always ready to snap that perfect moment.  The Lab is thrilled to have Joanna!  Please visit her blog to see more of her photos and laugh at her musings, you will be happy you did.  Here is a bit of what Joanna had to share:

I am an obsessed i-phonographer who loves the fact that having something so great means you never have an excuse to not be able to capture a moment (unless of course you are the subject of it)!  I also have just recently bought an Olympus Pen, which apart from taking great photographs, also is beautiful so makes for a good necklace too!  
 I muse,
Hopefully amuse!
My i-phone is the most unique and special of all the cameras I have to choose
Which for me, in photography, has made some very special breakthroughs!

I am also a terrible rhyming poet (you don’t say!), work full time, and do this as an obsessive hobby as it is a way of me diarising all the lovely things I see and share with my loved ones who are also (and very luckily for me) very photogenic!
Here are Joanna's submissions in order of newest to oldest. 

Inspiration #34 - Family
"Family"
This word prompt inspired me to produce a series of images.   If you want to see the project so far, it is on my website.

"In considering the bonds associated with the word family, for me, are fascinating, and all encompassing. As a badge of honour and a name tag, it instills such complex and fundamental emotions that no matter where your social origins originate from the ties associated with them come with certain expectations."     (An excerpt from Joanna's new series, check it out!)

Inspiration #33 - Found
"Found"
“Keep your eye on the high mark and you will hit it. Not the first time nor the second and maybe not the third, but if you keep on aiming and keep on trying, you'll hit the bull's eye of success.”  
 ― Annie Oakley
Why am I showing a quote from Annie Oakley?  Well, Anders found this hat that he thought would suit me. The first I felt/saw of it was when he plonked it on my head and looked at me saying "that's cool, you really suit it.  It makes you look like you could be a cowboy like Annie Oakley"! Dexter too said, "yes Mummy, it's a great hat you must get it", so I did :-)

It is a gents brown bowler hat called "The Cityman" and was in pristine condition and for sale in Anteaques where we went to have a nice cup of tea and cake, very civilised :-)

One of the guys that own this great tea shop agreed and said "it does really suit you" and then went on to say "we sold the black one earlier this week, they were both from the same place". This one is brown, and fits me perfectly, and for me turned out to be a great find, and I didn't even need to look for it so it definitely.

Inspiration #31 - Light and Shadows
"Light and Shadow"
Photographs and words by Joanna

Smile and the world will smile back.
I love how light and shadow dance with one another.

Inspiration #30 - Haunted
Haunted by...

Inspiration #29 - It's All An Illusion
"It's Just An Illusion"
If you stare long enough, you will see lots of things in this image, because your mind wants you to.  The illusion is all in your mind though, or is it – ha, ha, ha?

Inspiration #28 - Seeing Red

"Oath & Loyalty"
Even without the colour you know you are seeing red, oath and loyalty - promises are meant to be kept.


Inspiration #27 - Perfect Timing
"Perfect Timing"
Circumstances, events, collide on precise cue, forming a perfect eclipse,

When impatience is what at my heels continuously nips.

Virtuous patience, creates loves greatest sonnet,

Whilst it's a fire in the disco that has ignited what is under my bonnet.



"All in good time", what for, whiskey or life's greatest dance?

My dutiful eyes see what my flighty mind tells them to, in their artistic romance,

teasing, enticing with such extremes, dreams and desires,

Whisking me round like ice in a glass, until melting, exhausted and shining with perspire!



"I know", I know, that timing needs to be perfect, so I practice and practice, 

Realizing perfection is fleeting as timing is patient!

Inspiration #25:  Falling
"Falling in Love"
{To see this image along with a video please visit Joanna's blog}


Permanent Inspiration: Joy

"A Fleeting Glimpse of Joy"
Looking for something good to not pass by
Making you think what if, maybe, or why
The g-force of joy spreads across a face as it begins to giggle
These are moments of joy I never want to rush by

Theme 23 inspiration: Space 
No Title
(you can see the following submission on Joanna's blog here)


There is not a day goes by where I don't see some form of space that I want to capture.  I am an addict, there I am declaring it for all to hear!  Whether it is capturing an expression, moment, situation or actual space it seems that there is something in any situation and space, even a dead end one that I find something that interests me!


Theme 22 inspiration: Something that frightens you
Untitled
So, this challenge is one that has been a hard one as there are many things that I could say frighten me, but I don’t dwell on them as otherwise they would take over the good stuff.  This mulled over (every so often this month) as I have had a lot to think about as you can imagine lately and to me a fear is all in the mind and the mind is a great thing which you are the master of so I don’t tend to think about things that frighten me.  Heights can, but then again, I went up last year to dine 100ft above so as to not let it stop me doing things with the people I love.  I was terrified, and still don’t like heights, but I know this is all in my mind which I am the only person who really controls it!  So, I have given this a lot of thought and so my entry is this image to the left.

Theme 21 inspiration:  Front page of the news

 "Front Page of the Newspapers" 
(To see this post as Joanna intended please head on over to her blog.)
Well divine inspiration or what! Your challenge was front page of the news for 5th June, when I will be in Santa Fe, or should be therefore if I am to participate in this prompt I need to get it done well before then.  Here is therefore my post in advance as by the 5th of June we will know if I have managed to fly to the Review or not!

The front of the newspapers in the UK are torn between articles of the Volcanic Ash stopping flights taking off and landing and President Obama who is over here visiting and what that means for relations.  So the big question, will the volcano decide to stop erupting to allow flight space normality over the UK and therefore allow my flight take off next week as is scheduled which will take me to the US on the first leg of the trip to Santa Fe?  Yep, your right, too soon to say!



Theme 20 inspiration: Outside Your Door
"There's a whole world waiting there to be seen you just have to get off your bum!"

 
 
 

Theme 19 inspiration:  Spring
"Spring"
(To see this post as Joanna intended and to see additional photos please visit her blog here.)
Went to see the Beltane Fire people do their spring festival on Saturday.  It is all about welcoming in spring!  A time when we see the death of winter, the end of hibernation to be transcended by the birth of new life that signifies the beginning of new life and Spring.


Theme 18 inspiration: Turn on Your Radio
"Mr. Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang"
Please click here to read more about these images and to see the represented as Joanna intended.
Mr Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang (Shirley Bassey theme tune with a well known tartan export, Sean Connery as Bond)


Theme 17 inspiration - Lies 
"Liar"
When money enters in, - then, for a price, I become a liar, - and a good one I can be whether with pencil or subtle lighting or viewpoint. I hate it all, but so do I support not only my family, but my own work 
- Edward Weston
















Theme 16 inspiration: At the End of the Rainbow
"At the End of the Rainbow"
When you are not in Kansas anymore you'll embark upon an adventure with a pair of ruby red slippers...

 

 A special Tin Marvin, a Scarecrow, a Cowardly Lion, a Great Wizard named Oz...
   

and you might even meet the Mayor of Munchkin land!


Or am I the leprechaun that guards a pot of gold??  Scary!!!









(Please head on over to Joanna's blog to see this post as she intended)

If you would like to see this post as Joanna envisioned please head on over to her blog, RMontalban

ACoLab for March suggested for extra inspiration of looking at the work of Cindy Sherman, Joan Miro or Eugene Atget.  All three I think are fantastic and in a way I would like to maybe try to pay homage to all three if I have the time. Assuming I might not, I thought I would try Cindy first, although I can't help but feel a little of Andy Warhol has managed to sneak in here!  My dream from last month with him and Basquiat clearly has stuck in my mind and chosen to resurface here, well I never, these extra inspirations are starting to merge and have an effect (ha, ha, ha).
Clarice
Catain Amazo
Carly Warhol

Theme fifteen inspiration: Fill in the Blank
When I think about how my cameras lens is in the moment with me in capturing what I see, I just have to remember that not everyone will see, understand or want to see/understand what I see in the same way. That is just life and yes it can also be a tongue twister!
(To learn more about these images and to see the photos and text as Joanna intended please visit this post.)
 
Theme fourteen inspiration:  Inside the Heart
"Inside the Heart"
Photos and words
(To see exactly how Joanna envisioned this submission please visit her blog)

Love letter straight from the heart!
Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.  ~Albert Einstein
Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.  ~Rose Franken
A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it.  ~Frank A. Clark
      

  

Top left: "Top Cat", right: "Can't Live Without You"
Bottom left: "Bubble Love", right: "Messages That Transcend Grave"

Theme thirteen inspiration: Page 25 of a magazine
"So Easy A Robot Could Make It"
 "Page 25"
Photos & Words
 (You can link here to see how Joanna intended for you to see her post)
 
Anika set a challenge at ACoLab.  Her challenge was to go to Page 25 of a magazine and let it provide inspiration!  She did say it could literally be page 25 or to use whatever was on that page to inspire.  I have mainly been reading books, and every magazine I flicked through for some reason featured a full page advert on page 25!  I didn't find the adverts inspiring so decided to make my own adverts instead!

"Wannabe"
"Call Girl"
"Cherry Pop"
(You can also see this inspired creation on Joanna's blog)

I love Jean-Michel Basquiat's work, it is fantastic.  I always have had a thing for the paintings he produced, so when I saw that this was a February "extra inspiration" over at ACoLab, I thought yey!

Below top: Basquiat's Brown Spots, (Portrait of Andy Warhol as a Banana) 1984
Below bottom: Homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat; (Portrait of Andy Warhol as a Banana)

This was such a lot of fun doing it that I am going to push myself to see if I can capture some more homages to him and his work as he is my muse for February.
Theme twelve inspiration: Resolution (Link here

"Resolution"
Photographs and Words
(Please visit Joanna's blog to see this post as she intended)

 What does it mean to you?
  1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usuallyafter voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club,or other group. Compare concurrent resolution, joint resolution.
  2.  a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
  3.  the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
  4.  the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.
  5.  the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.
  6.  the resulting state.
  7.  Optics.The act, process, or capability of distinguishing between two separate but adjacent objects or sources of light or between two nearly equal wavelengths. Compare resolving power. 
  8.  a solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem,controversy, etc.
  9. b. the tone or chord to which a dissonance is resolved.
  10. reduction to a simpler form; conversion.
  11.  Medicine/Medical  the reduction or disappearance of a swelling or inflammation without suppuration.
  12. the degree of sharpness of a computer-generated image as measured by the number of dots per linear inch in a hard-copy printout or the number of pixels across and down on a display screen.
Mmmmmmm, I wonder, choices, choices, so many choices! 











 











Theme eleven inspiration: A Video (link here)
"Life Is One Big Intertwining Movie"
photos, video, and story
(you can see this on Joanna's blog as well)
Video inspiration is not something I had really contemplated until Anika put it up as a challenge!  I suppose that is what challenges are all about taking you out of your normal thought process.  So for me it felt like having to write an essay (I know, god help us) in a way to justify or clarify in my head what I was doing/seeing!  

Having really gotten hooked on taking photographs earlier this year my eyes now take on an additional role.  They have become my own camera with the gadgets and lenses I use being different glasses for a crude interpretation.  My eyes and brain are now desperately trying to get what I am feeling, seeing and experiencing conveyed through whatever gadget I am using, getting my brain to try and process it so it can be shared with whoever might find it of interest in a way that will mean something to them too, not least of all me and my loved ones. I have become more aware of those little moments that can pass you by but are actually in themselves something meaningful (if you want it to be) - good, bad, pretty and ugly as that is life. 
So video inspiration is another take on it.  The interesting videos you see (the ones that make you feel something), is just an animation of a series of images which make the situation come to life.  Movies are images in motion!  Without sound you have a silent movie, maybe for some that is a good thing!  Photographs too therefore are in themselves interpretations of what the person having taken them has chosen to see.  Sometimes they are well articulated and other times not, a bit like storytelling, neither of which I profess to be good at!  The above picture as an example your brain naturally process it into something with meaning, but without images before or after it or a narrative it is left to your imagination as it is only one piece of something bigger.  

This image because of it's wintry landscape and of course the Christmas Trees, having followed the above picture potentially now give your brain a connection (two pieces of a puzzle), so in effect here is maybe the start of a story.


So this task turned out to push me into trying to articulate what images mean to me in a way that I am still trying to get my head around and that is what makes it an interesting journey for me!   I have so many ideas and images which I would like to share and I feel like I am changing because of it.  Not changing in who I am, but opening up a part of my brain which I didn't use in this way, and in doing so I am on a journey, innocently meandering and exploring like a child although with the brain of a grown up (at times) - sounding like Freaky Friday!!  

Movies and videos are to me are a whole series of images that combined together make up a story.  Cinematography can be really beautiful, like a photograph.  Each frame, when done right, in itself can be an amazing image and I now am so aware of that when I watch the tv or a film this is also what in some cases I notice and am blown away by - inspired by in the same way that I can be flicking through a story, image, magazine, newspaper, book, blog, blah, blah, blah. 
(Video can be seen on Joanna's blog)

Theme ten inspiration: Dreamland
"Serene Dream (land)"
To see Joanna's blog entry for this please click here.
  



 Serenity


Clear, calm, quiet and still
peaceful and tranquil

 

No matter which way you see it


Theme nine inspiration: Out of My Element

"Out of My Element"

The following can also be seen on Joanna's blog


My heart is racing, it beats so fast
I hope this moment will last and last and last.


I am just so happy and secure in love
I just thank the stars and heaven above.


It is a feeling I don't take it for granted
This love which was implanted
by its very being makes me feel out of my element and so deliriously happy


It is an element I cannot control
Pains me to console
Is the very essence of my soul
an emotion that leaves me exceptionally comfortable but also completely out of my element!




 
Switch on to it!
Doesn't that make us all deliriously happy and I am lucky enough to feel lots of that.
And sometimes also "out of our element" the theme for ACoLabs challenge!
Theme eight inspiration: Your Favorite Song
Joanna submitted two interpretations.  Talk about being inspired!  Here is the first entry:
"Why start a battle when you don't have to?"
Story and 8 Photographs
(Please see this blog entry for the complete story that goes long with this post.  Joanna has laid out these photos with her own style and layout on the blog and it's a must-see.)

Snippet of the text:

The song I am thinking about was the year that launched Abba from Sweden!  I loved the blue outfit Agnetha wore (funnily enough my Mother-in-law was her double and quite a babe in the 70's from photographs I have seen) and I loved her long blond hair.  I (like many other people) instantly started singing this catchy little number, and every time I hear it I get transported back to my childhood and watching this on the TV, thereon after I quickly think about a holiday with my friend and her parents where Dancing Queen kept being played! So what song is it going to be?

Read more here and take a gander at this gem!

Second entry:
"Rocky Raccoon"
Photos and Story
by Joanna
(Please read more and see Joanna's layout by clicking here)

No need to bring in the police, or send me to jail
Will you let me out on bail?
I will keep my thoughts clean, read on and that will be seen!
I was just being a goon!
unless you want to bring in a sheriff at a local saloon 
in the form of the Beatles song Rocky Racoon!
That would be just dandy!


Here is a video of the song should you like to take a listen.




Theme number seven inspiration:  Full Circle
"Family Generations"
Photographs and Poem
Yesterday is prehistory
which follows history
and comes before a tomorrow's mystery
sounds very blistery
and I suppose it is, as each one is a story in itself!
A cake has some similarity
it doesn't always give satiety
you can be the first, last, or somewhere in the middle
and even when you are the icing on the top, being a slice can be a fiddle
It can be a comfort and delight
a support to tell you everything will be alright
indeed a powerful might
and like generations before, gone in a flash!

"The Shadow"
Two Photographs 
I took these shots in a cafe when I nipped out for lunch.  The guy reminded me of the comic strip character "the Shadow".
 

"Like Father, Like Son"
Photograph
Please visit this link to read more about this shot.